It might sound a little hyperbolic, but it feels like West Ham United are currently in a crisis.
Graham Potter's side have lost all three of their games so far, and while they've scored three goals, they've conceded a whopping 11.
It's crystal clear that the East Londoners are in desperate need of quality reinforcements who can help make them a far tougher proposition to play against if they are to still be playing Premier League football next year.
West Ham United manager Graham Potter and assistant manager Bruno Saltor
West Ham United manager Graham Potter and assistant manager Bruno Saltor
Fortunately, it appears that the club are incredibly close to bringing in someone who could be just what they need and the perfect teammate for the promising El Hadji Malick Diouf.
West Ham close in on the perfect teammate for Diouf
Arguably, the area of the team West Ham are most in need of reinforcing before the window closes next week is in the midfield.
The middle of the park was already looking a little weak at the start of the summer, but with Edson Alvarez now in Turkey, Potter and Co are in serious need of fresh legs and quality.
Not only do the Hammers need someone who can help with the offensive side of things, but someone who can come straight into the side and make them a nightmare to play against.
diouf-west-ham
Fortunately, it appears that the East Londoners are incredibly close to signing a player who would not only fit that description, but also be able to get more out of fellow summer signing Diouf.
At least that is according to a recent update from Sky Sports' Lyall Thomas, who has revealed that West Ham are closing in on Soungoutou Magassa.
Furthermore, Thomas has confirmed that the young Frenchman will be flying into London on Wednesday to undergo a medical ahead of his £17.3m move from AS Monaco, a switch that Thomas suggests is set to be done in the "next 24-48 hours".
Magassa might not be a household name, but he looks like just the sort of player West Ham need at the moment, and someone who could get even more out of Diouf.
Why Magassa would be a dream signing for Diouf
The first and most significant reason Magassa could help get even more out of Diouf is the same reason he'd be a brilliant teammate for the rest of the West Ham team: his defensive and athletic qualities.
Magassa
For example, even though he can play in central midfield and at centre-back, he's been at his best in recent seasons playing as a defensive midfielder, where he can utilise both to break up play and harry opposition attackers.
You can best see how elite he is at the defensive side of the game through his underlying numbers.
According to FBref, he ranks in the top 2% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues for tackles plus interceptions, tackles in the middle third, and dribblers challenged, as well as the top 6% for passes blocked and more, all per 90 minutes.
In other words, the 21-year-old could be trusted to do the bulk of the defensive work for the Irons, which in turn would allow Diouf more opportunities to maraud down the wing and supply the frontline with chance after chance from his brilliant crosses.
Paris St Germain's Ousmane Dembele in action with AS Monaco's Soungoutou Magassa
Paris St Germain's Ousmane Dembele in action with AS Monaco's Soungoutou Magassa
Yet, there is another way in which the Monaco ace would be able to help get more out of the Senegalese gem: his passing ability.
On top of being a defensive monster in the middle of the park, the "elegant" Frenchman, as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, is also far more accomplished with the ball at his feet than you might imagine.
Magassa's Scout Report
Statistics
Dribblers Tackled
Ball Recoveries
Tackles (Mid 3rd)
Dribbles Challenged
Tkl+Int
Tackles
Interceptions
Passes Blocked
Switches
Through Balls
Blocks
Successful Take-Ons
Tackles (Def 3rd)
Touches (Mid 3rd)
Passes into Final Third
Tackles Won
All Stats via FBref
In fact, respected analyst Ben Mattinson has praised him for his "forward-thinking mindset" and his impressive ability to "spray passes wide out to the wings," which suggests he would be able to find the former Slavia Prague ace with ease.
Once again, we can see skills in 6 foot 2 titan's underlying numbers, as FBref ranks him in the top 7% for switches and the top 10% for through balls per 90.
Ultimately, West Ham appear to be making an excellent signing in Magassa, as not only will he add some defensive steel to the midfield, but he will also allow Diouf to flourish out wide.